Jesus Is Not The Reason For The Season

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So, this is the post that gets us in trouble. Please understand, we do not mean to offend but to clarify. Currently there are a lot of tensions building over a topic that we consider to be asinine and ultimately way off the mark. We are talking about the idea of keeping Christ in Christmas. We are talking about the campaign to boycott retailers who do not acknowledge Merry Christmas and instead use the antiseptic term Happy Holidays. We are talking about a large group of people who have completely lost the true meaning of this time of year to lobby for the Almighty. Here’s a hint, God does not need PR.

Let’s get something straight, we love Jesus. Love His style. Love His message. Love how He loves! When we hear things like ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’, our educated self screams at the stupidity! Let us clarify our position. Jesus is a great guy and everything but by no means does he monopolize December. For Christians, December means Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ. For Jews, December is the time of the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, where they celebrate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem for 8 days. Muslims sometimes celebrate the Islamic New Year in December depending on the day it falls. Buddhists have Boddhi Day which celebrates the day that the Buddha attained enlightenment. African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa which celebrates universal African American heritage and culture. Pagans have long celebrated Yule and the Winter Solstice around the 21st of the month. So, by saying only Merry Christmas, we are completely ignoring, disenfranchising and disrespecting the faith and priorities of others. Now, that does not sound like Jesus Christ, does it?

Another known fact that Christians tend to pretend not to know is that Jesus was born at the end of September around 2 BC, not December 25th. Therefore, why all the fuss about keeping Christ out of Christmas? If you know it really isn’t his birthday and just an arbitrary day to reflect and celebrate the birth of the Christ than why monopolize the entire season of celebration?

Yes, Santa has taken some of the focus off of the religious significance of the season. You can say that retailers have bogarted the end of the year to fill their coffers with silver before the long winter. You can say a whole lot of stuff but it still does not give you the right to believe that your religious observance is any more important than anyone else’s. Christians are supposed to love their neighbors as Christ taught you, not bludgeon all of society into wishing you a Merry Christmas because we wouldn’t be drinking eggnog without Christ’s birth.

All of the arguments are stupid, near sighted, exclusive and bigoted. This is a time of sharing for all faiths and to pretend that your celebration is more important than that of others is downright….unChristian. Jesus would be on our side on this one. Jesus brought people together and did not encourage us to build walls to separate us. Jesus doesn’t need your fury, activism or violence but requires all of us to love one another. And besides, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and never wished anyone a Merry Christmas.

So Happy Holidays to everyone in whatever way you celebrate this precious time of year. May you be blessed with an abundance of health, prosperity, joy and love. May your family stay together and support one another and honor the gifts they are given. May you and your loved ones have a wonderful time in all of your celebrations, no matter what they are.

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53 comments

Hmmmm. Two things.
First, in my experience, the whole Jesus is the Reason for the Season thing is about reminding Christians that Christmas isn’t about Santa and presents and everything commercial that makes Christmas a business instead of the holy day of celebration it is meant to be. I grew up in a time when the Catholic Church was trying out the ecumenical thing, which I suppose I took for granted not realizing how lucky I was to learn this. It had me never insisting that I had the only answer to the question of god. I recall a Thanksgiving service at our church which included a priest, a rabbi, and a minister. (Sounds like the start of a great joke…)
Second, I’ve always had an issue regarding fact that I want to send out Christmas cards to friends, ya know, with the current picture of the kids, to let them know we’re thinking of them, etc. How do I send a Christmas card to my Jewish or Buddhist friends? Is it rude? Will it offend? So along the way I switched to sending out Happy Holiday cards or even more generic winter greetings cards with snowpeople and later to sending Happy New Year cards. But gee, doesn’t that offend the Chinese New Year or Ramadan celebrants? Sigh…

I remember similar services growing up. My temple and two nearby churches would have a combined service. Every year, on Thanksgiving, members from all three houses of worship would gather into one of the three buildings. (It alternated every year.) We would pray in a very non-denominational way. (Christ wasn’t mentioned. God was just called “God.” No Hebrew. etc.)

One year, our rabbi at the time (who was an elderly man who survived the Holocaust) spoke and people from the Churches came up to him after with tears in their eyes. His speech had moved them so much. It was a great moment of community coming together no matter what your specific religious beliefs.

As far as the Christmas cards go, it depends. If you are sending out pre-printed cards, you could have them say “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays” in the text before your name. If you write your own and wish me a Merry Christmas, I’d be offended that you didn’t remember that we don’t celebrate Christmas. (Assuming we were close enough friends that this was something you should know.) We tend to send Happy New Years cards to avoid this whole minefield.

Can I get an AMEN? I personally say “Happy holidays” to people, since I celebrate Christmas, not everyone does. I literally get corrected (I kid you not) by people who will angrily reply “Merry CHRISTMAS” without knowing my religious affiliation. Hmm.

I think this is part of a larger sentiment that some Christians feel we’re under attack by simply being inclusive and considerate. What I practice in my home is not being scrutinized by allowing for a Menorah or any other items in store fronts, etc.

Truly, Christmas is more of an American (or “Western”) holiday- and it’s for everyone. Trees, stockings, tinsel, lights, etc. are not about Jesus, they’re just to celebrate the season!

Sure, let’s keep the “Christ in Christmas,” but I hate it when people get punchy because I wish to keep the “happy” in “holidays.” I don’t understand where the entitlement comes from or how offense can even be taken by saying “happy holidays” in a store window or on a flyer as opposed to “Merry Christmas,” what’s next, a correction of “It’s EASTER!” not “happy spring?”

Goodness gracious! Thanks for having the courage to write this- high fives to you!

Interesting article, but completely, and utterly WRONG. Sure, December 25th is just an arbitrary day in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus. But it is, what it is..it is when we celebrate his birthday. So, given that, Christmas became a holiday in which gifts are given to symbolize a.) the gifts that were given to Jesus by the Three Wise Men, and b.) the gifts that God has given to us. From there, mainstream retail tapped into it and it grew and grew until it is what it is today. Only recently have we seen the politically correct transition to Happy Holidays. Before that, what did everyone say? Merry Christmas. Why? because that’s the root of all the before and after CHRISTMAS sales. When was the last time you saw a flyer that said “Huge Pre – Yule and the Winter Solstice Sale, this weekend only!!!” Um…NEVER. I’m not saying it’s not important to someone, but the whole reason that there was this huge retail explosion is because of the big deal that it is for Christians. Which is why Christians remind themselves that “Jesus is the Reason For the Season.” So that we (as Christians) remember what it is we are celebrating, and not get caught up in all the buying of gifts and retail extravaganza. When you hear someone say “Jesus is the Reason For the Season” they are Christian. And they are saying it to other Christians.

Great attempt at creating a post with a controversial theme different from most others in order to get hits though.

Actually you are wrong. The Pagans have been celebrating the Solstice way before the Christians moved their holiday to coincide and completely try to take it over. Which blows your theory of “we were here first” out of the water.
Also, the Season is WINTER, and the reason for it is the cold fronts and Mother Nature.

Except for the fact that Christians picked December as their arbitrary day to celebrate was because of the Pagan holidays that existed long before. It was in an attempt to lure more people to the Church. Christmas first started to be celebrated in December around 350 AD. Long before that were both the Germanic Yule and the Roman Saturnalia. So while yes, the retail sales may have originated with Christmas, Christians do not have a monopoly or even first rights to December.

Where in the Bible does it say three wise men? They had 3 gifts total but nowhere does it say there are only three wise men. Maybe it’s two guys that brought three gifts! Or 4 people.

And isn’t it about time we have some Interfaith alliance and dialogue? As a Christian myself, the idea that Christianity is the exclusive path to God is anathema to me. It shows utter disrespect for everybody else that happens not to be Christian.

And you completely missed the point! “This is a time of sharing for all faiths and to pretend that your celebration is more important than that of others is downright….unChristian.” As America has moved towards a more diverse and inclusive society, many Christians have been bitching about a non-existent war on Christmas. Times have changed, and Christians need to chill and put some more vodka in their egg nog or eat some weed laced fruit cake.

As my education in Theology has taught me, the “arbitrary” date for Christmas, was in fact chosen to correlate with the Pagan celebrations during a time the Christian Empire of the time was trying to make their belief the only allowable choice. This did not work completely and we then had a time of religious persecution with great acts of violence perpetrated against so called non believers.
You must also remember that Christmas was not celebrated in America for quite some time and was, in fact, illegal in places in early America. It was not acknowledged as a Religious holiday until the early 1900’s.
The whole point is, every belief should be considered valid and vital and finally end the bickering.

I use the saying all the time. I refer to it every time I run into rude people, and would use it on the woman handy with the pepper spray. I wish I could say it to people yelling at sales associates, flipping people off over parking spots, and trudging along like their world is ending because the ‘have’ to be out shopping for a deal. They are complaining about cooking, relatives coming, parties to attend, and any other little thing that can become a blown out of proportion thing. I do not use it in clear reference to only Jesus (with awareness of other celebrations in December), but in the celebration of life, love, and peace during December. To hopefully slow people down and focus on things that are important such as family, health, peace, friendship, etc. and to just relax inhale deeply and smile. It’s my silent mantra so I relax inhale deeply and smile! And, yes, I’m smiling right now.

I have to say.. “I love you”. Well done and knowing you, it was not JUST for the hits/traffic.

Columbus Day isn’t as big as it used to be because people boycotted it and called Columbus a murderer. It doesn’t make it any less a day, just less of a holiday to many. Christmas is becoming the same thing… the name will remain the same, whatever holiday falls under it will still carry that meaning for those people. But thankfully people are being allowed to see it for what it is… a melting pot.

I take good wishes as they are – as good wishes. I don’t feel like someone saying “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” or even “God bless you” is an invitation to discuss religion. It’s a good wish, a moment of common humanity, not a moment where we need to affirm our mutual dedication to one religion. So I think the appropriate response is a simple “Thank you” or “Same to you.”

Great post. I have this argument pretty often with some opinionated people I know. I am Catholic and I know what I believe regarding the holidays and Christmas, but who am I to say/designate or title what everyone else does? I send holiday cards and say Happy Holidays (unless I know someone celebrates Christmas, then I say Merry Christmas) to everyone because I truly mean it. I want everyone to have a happy/merry time no matter what they celebrate, throughout the month and the New Year.

So true! It brings to mind my college days, when I took a “Bible as Literature” class (and I went to a Catholic college, mind you) where I learned that the Christians basically stole the holiday from the pagan Romans in order to take emphasis away from Solstice.

I posted something similar on my facebook page and got a huge backlash — “I am amused by all the people wanting to put the ‘christ’ back in ‘christmas’ considering it is a commandeered pagan holiday. If you want to put the ‘christ’ back in ‘christmas’ are you willing to remove all the consumerism?”

I challenged people to spend the day, not playing Magi, but celebrating as Jesus would have probably spent his birthday — taking care of the needy and poor, comforting the dying and lonely, giving away his material goods to those that truly needed them.

People completely missed that point and thought i was attacking religion. I wasn’t. I was simply saying that if your focus is on the gifts, then call a spade a spade. It’s a holiday gift exchange rooted in desire, greed, and commercialism. But if you want to put the christ back in christmas, spend the day meditating on what it should mean for christians (birth of salvation so that sins could be forgiven) and living as Jesus would through charitable deeds and through loving the people around you.

The early christians appropriated existing pagan holidays in an effort to convert followers. Well you have a winter holiday? So do we! You have a spring holiday? So do we! You have fancy chants! So do we! It doesn’t matter if you shifted the liturgical calendar 63 days one way or the other. It’s a representation of the journey of the new testament, not a direct correlation. It was a conscious decision to put christmas/solstice together and easter/vernal equinox.

I totally love this! Actually there is a family in my church that has taken the consumerism out of Christmas. Every year they take their two daughters (this year they are 17 & 19 and go willingly) to a soup kitchen to serve others. I want to start doing that too!

I’m pretty spiritual but I’m also pretty laid back about holidays. I say, to each his own. We have a happy medium in my household but I also send out my holiday greetings with a non-denominational message. I know, I know. I’m not going out and spreading the gospel but that’s not my style and I’m pretty sure God understands that.

Loved this post. You are absolutely right: God does not need PR. If you’re a firm believer, it shouldn’t matter what others celebrate / observe. I’m a Cover Your Ass Christian, which means I kinda believe on Wednesday and usually don’t every other day of the week. We’re really into Santa in my house while my daughter absolutely loves the Lord. Her father is an atheist. So, when Christ in Christmas debates happen, I send my merry child out to agree with them while my partner and I stomp around complaining that Christmas is all about Santa’s birth.

if someone wish me happy Hanukkah, i will reply merry christmas them, or happy hanukkah, and so with the other religions, yet i do not know what it is unless they inform me, i will not stop buying gifts from stores because of this, no this month has a lot of religious holidays as you mentioned, yet CHRISTMAS is about CHRIST, so if it is christmas you are talking about then you are wrong, holidays you are right, yes we do not know when he was born, last i heard was june or july not sept.and yes he was not white, how could he be, he was a jewish person from a arab country. so he would not resemble any white person like we do.
Santa represent gift giving usuall to the needy that is how it started, ,
DOES CHRIST need pr , yes he does, remember this country may at present moment a christian nation, it has all religions, and also remember i believe the last time i heard ONLY 1/12 TH of the WORLD
believes in CHRIST. most of the rest of the world follows ISLAM.
DOES SOUND LIKE CHRIST NEEDS PR. yes he wishes peace around the world and will one day bring all these religions together as one.

Believe as you will. My upbringing and the things that I was taught by the most important Christian in my life (my great-grandmother) tells me that Jesus is most definitely the reason for the season.

As a child, I knew not (nor cared not) when he was actually born. By declaring a different date of birth for Jesus (without knowing it) others have only acknowledged that he was indeed born.

When we choose to celebrate it is of no concern to me. As far as I am concerned, we could do it in April. It matters not. “Jesus is the Reson for the Season” (in my opinion) is a phrase that was written to remind people that we do not celebrate this time of year for gifts, shopping, or what we hope we will get on Christmas morning. It’s to remind everyone not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the retail frenzy that large corporations promote through things such as “Black Friday” which now lead to people being maced, shot, attacked, and stampeeded. Those greedy enough to commit such acts over a $5.00 waffle iron deserve no better.

Personally, I will continue to believe that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. Perhaps simply saying “Merry Christmas” to someone instead of “Happy Holidays” will be the ONE little thing that serves as a reminder that we are to celebrate our blessings and the gifts we already have instead of focusing on the greed of “I want more”.

But what about the people who wear the “Jesus is the reason for the season” sweatshirts, while fighting on Black Friday for that $5 waffle iron? My problem with the sentiment is that Jesus is YOUR reason for the season, not mine. Don’t be naive by thinking that The sentiment of “Jesus is the reason for the season” is directed only to Christians who have strayed – watch Fox News, Watch MSNBC. It is a battle of shoving beliefs down each other’s throats instead of worrying about oneself and their own life. My problem with a lot of devout Christians is that they care too much about those around them not being the same as them, instead of making sure they lead the best life they can.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion even if others disagree. I celebrate Christmas realizing that other people celebrate other holidays at the same time of year doesn’t mean we can’t still say Merry Christmas. I wouldn’t be offended if someone said Happy Hanukkah me, or have a happy winter solstice. Celebrate the holiday you wish to celebrate but, when this blogger said ” When we hear things like ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’, our educated self screams at the stupidity!” I totally disagree with her. The hatred she is spewing on this statement, implying that if you don’t agree with her you’re stupid, is simply that, hatred. She can have her opinion, but let me have mine as well.

Yes, I believe in respecting all Religions, cultures and beliefs but me saying Merry Christmas is not disrespecting any religion that is how I choose to express myself and my beliefs. Them wanting me to say Happy Holidays restricts the expression of my beliefs, but it doesn’t bother me how other people choose to celebrate. 😉

Furthermore, by her statement “Jesus is not the reason for the season” Implies that we all who believe so, are misguided and therefore are not free to express our own faith as we see fit. It may just be that she does in fact not respect those who choose to believe that Jesus us indeed the reason for the season.

Well stated argument, but necessarily completely factual. While i am a firm believer that no where in Gods word does it say we are to go and cram our faith down others throats, it does state clearly three times that there is only one narrow gate, in Matt 7:13, 14 and again in Luke 13:24. Jesus ultimately did not seem to care about offending people if they were not choosing narrow gate. So we are all entitled to our own opinions, but I feel that my job as a Christian is tell people about the miracle of Christ’s birth, and ultimately and more importantly, His death and Resurrection, not to be concerned if I hurt their feelings by saying Merry Christmas. While I do need to have compassion, I tend to have compassion for their situation and pray for those people who do not believe how I believe. I do not want to be standing in front of Christ on the day of judgement and have Him look at me and say depart, I knew you not, because I denied my relationship with Christ while on earth. With that, I say we as Christians do need to really put more emphasis on the Easter celebration, as that is really the more important “holiday”.

I am not sure where to start but the beginning will most likely be a great spot. If you are willing to accept the Bible as the word of GOD! It is not the word of a god, or somebody who claims to be god, it is the WORD OF GOD, the one true GOD the creator and architect of the heavens and the earth and all there contained in it.
Christmas has nothing to do with the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Africans nor the Pagans. Sorry guys Christmas is the remembrance of the Birth of Christ, the ONLY son of GOD! Your right Christ never wished anybody a Merry Christmas, stupid is as stupid does… While Christ was alive in a human body on earth GOD his father the maker of all the heavens and earth was still in the “Age of Law” or for those who do not know that term and doctrine Christ was a Jew by birth and until this day and forward he will always be a Jew by birth. But, he was according to count in Matthew he was also the True Son of God. During the life of Christ there was still an atonement required by GOD.
The moment that Christ died on the cross the vial in the temple was torn from the top downs torn in half from the top down as a sign from GOD’’.
Now the age of Grace, God’s son dies for your sins, and we remember Jesus Christ on Christma

Wow, Skip, you put more thought into your comment than I did into my post! But on a serious note, I do have a point of contention with your diatribe. First of all, you call yourself a Christian and speak of the ‘one true God’. Well Scott, if that is the case, I expect you to say Happy Hanukkah! Your God is the God of the Bible who is also the same God of the Jews and Muslims. Educate yourself before you preach. There is one true God and he is God of all. To assume he only loves you makes me believe you missed a big chunk of the Bible. Your offense at the post is fueled by your own separatist nature. Spend more times reading “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV, John 13:34-35). Happy Holidays, Skip.

In Defense of Christians:
When I talk about putting the Christ back in Christmas, I don’t say it to people who don’t celebrate Christmas. I don’t get offended when someone wishes me a happy holiday, especially since that starts happening before Halloween, so there are several holidays that could be referring to. My greatest concern is that we, as a society, make Christmas out to be a time for stress, anxiety, and spending beyond our means. None of these are things that God has in store for us. The Bible tells us that God has plans to prosper us, and not to harm us. So why do we take a holiday (correctly placed on the calendar or not) and bastardize it into sheer misery for ourselves and those around us? I have a large family, and we have donated clothes, toys, and food to needy people during the holiday season in lieu of giving the adult siblings gifts. After all is said and done, shouldn’t we help each other? This year, many of us are struggling financially, so we are telling our parents what our needs are (nothing extravagant, just things like gift cards for gas or groceries). When our parents look it over and pray about it, they will let each of us know what we can do to help our siblings. We hope to be in better financial places next year so that we can help others again. Until then, we will continue to help each other. It might not sound like the Christmases you see in movies, but what no one tells you is that those movies are shot with extravagant budgets and with hundreds of people working to make everything look perfect. Even with a large family, that is just impractical. So, we are eating off of paper plates, having simple food, and spending all of the spare time enjoying each other’s company (and the amazing nieces and nephews).
To be honest, I don’t wish “Merry Christmas” to those I know aren’t Christian, with the exception of a Pagan friend of mine who wishes me a Merry Christmas. I also celebrate Hanukkah, but on a small scale. After all, Jesus is Jewish, and so were most of the people in the Bible. When Christ came, he opened being one of the “chosen people” up to the gentiles, so I celebrate that which God has done for His people.
All that being said, I hope everyone out there has a wonderful winter holiday, no matter what holiday that is. May peace be with you all.

I am truly impressed by the subject matter, the expository writing, and the mindful and insightful comments that have followed. It truly inspires me and confirms my belief that their is a shift towards tolerance. Although we may not see it globally, at least in our cyberworld, the freedom to express our views are not clouded by the dogma of religion. Bravo to you all that commented, but even more kudos to Lee and Paul for tackling this sensitive issue.

1) By ALL non Biblical accounts, the ‘Christmas Star’ — actually a conjunction of several planets and stars — that signaled the Wise Men to seek the historic birth, occurred MUCH earlier, and there is some debate about the actual Date of the Birth. Astronomers in Syria and China, plus a vague reference in Norse history, noted the conjunction in February of the year we call 3 BC, and it lasted until mid year. Those items are not debatable, and their dates are pin-pointable as NOT being in December year 0.

2)The whole reason that Joseph and Mary were in town was for the census required by Rome and Herrod that year, and that was in August three years before what we call year 0.

3) In the 8th Century AD, the Leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, seeking to encourage more Paegans to accept Christ and one God, established the Date of Dec 25th to closely coincide with the Solstice Festival that they already celebrated. The thinking was that making one big Festival time would make a transition to Christianity easier for the Non Christians to accept.

4) ALL OF THAT is incidental to the idea of ONE GOD, which if you believe in, rationally progresses to the fact that all Mono-Theists worship the same god, no matter what they call Him (Her, It, Them) and despite differences in details, all Mono-Theists should be treated as the ‘Children of God’. If you are not a Mono-Theist, or indeed a Diest at all, then good tidings for a happy festival season are still in order, just because it is the polite and cordial thing to do.

The ONLY thing that should be shoved down anyone’s throats should be the need for Human manners and anti-violence. That and perhaps a little egg nog. =o)

Jesus is the reason for the season. Dec. 25th. is the date chosen by Christians to celebrate His birth. We consider it a season because we start our spiritual preparation weeks in advance of that date. We do not claim any special right to the calendar. If you want to have a holiday any time during the month of December we don’t object. That is certainly your right. And yes, Christ does command we love one another; in context this is generally considered to be a member of the “group” formed by His coming and teaching. We do however have love for everyone and that is why we share the gospel with them. The love we have for them is a spiritual love as is the love of Christ for everyone. Even though you may not believe IN Christ or even believe there is a Christ, He still loves you because you are a part of His creation. He has a plan for a post death future for you, but to have that future you must accept His love and live your life in a manner pleasing to Him. Our sharing of that love is fulfilling the command to carry the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) to the ends of the earth. God bless you and have a Merry Christmas.

Firoella, he is not the reason for my season. I celebrate the solstice and I celebrate multiple holidays with family and friends. I’m a believer in all righteous paths lead to the same place. God, Great Spirit, Allah, I don’t much care what you call it. So I celebrate with Pagans, Druids, Muslims, Jews, Christians of many flavors and just me and my Deity. Jesus walked with Jew and Gentile, fisherman and publicans, the good and the bad. He preached love to one another. Where’s the freakin’ love on Black Friday? Where’s the love when Fundies are boycotting my faith? Or shouting death to non-christians? or hating on anyone that isn’t a white, heterosexual, middle aged male? Put Christianity back in Christmas. Christ had it right.

Why can’t I say Merry Christmas to someone and they say Happy Hanukkah to me? Why must we ignore our own celebration? Why can’t we take whichever holiday saying is said to us and instead of taking offense just realize that the person is wishing us well? Why must we make everything so complicated and walk around on eggshells?

Do you say “Happy Birthday” to others on your birthday, or do they say it to you? Perhaps wishing that others enjoy their holiday would allow them to wish that you enjoy yours – rather than wishing that they enjoy yours.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Since I am Pagan and my family is Christian I am so very happy that someone finally says it the way it is. Christmas is NOT and never has been a Christian Holiday. Christ was a practicing Jew. The season is holy in many lands and many cultures, mostly all for the same basic reason. A return of the light, literally or metaphorically to the world. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Keep the sanity alive and well.